Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 5: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah after overseeing the rescue operation in the Srinagar inundated areas in the night hours, this morning travelled to various areas in Pulwama, Baramulla and Budgam districts to take personal appraisal of the flood situation and monitor ongoing rescue and relief operations.
The Chief Minister visited Newa, Kakpora, Lathipora, Pandrethan, JVC Bemina, Srinagar-Narbal National Highway, Nowgam, B K Pora and other areas in the districts of Pulwma, Budgam and Baramulla.
The Chief Minister interacted with affected families showed his solidarity with them and said that Government would take all measures to help the people in the current hour of crisis. He also received brief on the loss of paddy and other crops besides damage to the orchards.
The Chief Minister said that the first concern of the administration at present is to rescue people and evacuate marooned population to ensure that no loss of human lives take place.
He gave direction to the administration to provide boats wherever required. He also directed for keeping health institutions functional and providing food and other facilities to the families who have been camped in shelter houses.
The Chief Minister also received latest brief from the Divisional Commissioner Jammu about the flood situation in the Division and directed him to be at the beck and call of affected people providing all possible help. He also received brief about the discharge of water in river Chenab and Tawi and asked the administration to evacuate the people from the banks of rivers to the safer places.
In the afternoon Chief Minister visited Magam and adjacent areas to take first hand appraisal of the flood situation there and the damage caused to the hospital. He directed the health authorities to start make shift hospital functional so that emergency patients are given treatment. The Chief Minister also inspected the Magam Bridge and received brief about the damage caused by the nallahas in the area.
The Chief Minister in the evening monitored the shifting of patients to Kashmir Nursing Home from flood hit Barzulla hospital. He visited the Kashmir Nursing Home and enquired about the welfare and treatment being provided to the patients.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister this night after receiving the message that a Chinar tree has fallen on river Jhelum Bund near Convent School endangering breech in the bund, rushed to the sport and directed immediate removal of Chinar. The operation for the same was started under his supervision.